Sciatica Treatments

The most common causes of sciatica can usually be successfully treated by an osteopath.

Osteopathic treatment for sciatica can be very effective opening out areas of the spine to reduce pressure on a nerve, relax tight joints and muscles causing referred pain. The osteopath will use a range of gentle and calming technique approaches.

Often if the sciatica (leg pain) is persistent a mixture of osteopathy, to help the spinal mechanics and acupuncture, to reduce the nerve pain works very well. Ask your osteopath as to how this should be implemented or contact us if you need any further details.

Patients will often be advised to take certain vitamins to help nerves heal, alongside exercises to mobilise and encourage more optimum muscle tension.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve that supplies the leg. However it is often used to describe any pain in the leg, whatever the cause, whether it is related to circulation, pain referred from a back injury, trauma or nerve irritation.

Sciatica usually affects one side of the very low back and buttock, and possibly the thigh, leg and foot; it can affect all of the above areas or a combination.

Symptoms of sciatica range from dull to sharp pain, spasms and sometimes pins and needles (tingling) and numbness (loss of sensation).

How can osteopathy help to treat Sciatica?

Most reasons for sciatica can be successfully treated with Osteopathy. However your osteopath should take a complete medical history followed by an examination of the nerves (reflexes, muscle power, sensation and a nerve stretch test), pulses and temperature of both of the legs.

Osteopathic treatment will vary from very specific, gentle and safe manipulation of some of the lower low back small joints, opening out space, traction and soft tissue massage of the low back and gluteal (buttock) muscles - superficial and deep as necessary. Osteopthic treatment of sciatica can often be more global to induce a more whole spine and extremity holistic response.

Patients will often be advised to take certain vitamins to help nerves heal, alongside exercises to mobilise and encourage more optimum muscle tension.

What does Sciatica mean?

The word sciatica is Latin in origin and basically means pain on one side of the very low back and buttock, possibly spreading into the back or outer side of the thigh, leg and to the foot.

Sciatica simply gives the medical name for your symptoms, it is not a diagnosis. This is because a variety of problems can be the cause, e.g. a prolapsed disc pressing on the nerve, some inflammation or bone affecting the nerve, and in some cases, specific muscles affecting the nerve.

Most Private Health Insurance (PHI) companies now will cover Osteopathic Treatment......